"People, especially right-handed hitters don't see that angle a lot, so he doesn't have to be fine in the zone," Kniffin told The AP. "He just needs to attack with his strengths and not pitch tentative."

Kniffin also made the majors that year more than two decades after his own playing career ended. As a player, he made it as high as AAA, but not the bigs.

Kniffin's career in baseball began in 1969, taken by the Phillies in the 25th round out of the University of Tampa.

He started at rookie Pulaski, moving to single-A Spartanburg in 1970, staying there through 1972. In that 1972 season, Kniffin went 13-1, with a 2.11 ERA.

Kniffin made AA Reading in 1973, going 10-6, with a 4.34 ERA. He had a run of six-straight wins that July. He played parts of four seasons at Reading. He then played two full seasons at AAA Oklahoma City, his career ending in 1978.

By 1988, Kniffin was back in the minors as a coach in the Mariners system. He moved to the Expos system by 1992, then the Diamondbacks system by 1997.

"Kniff had to deal with not getting a chance, never getting to reach
his dream," one of his pitchers Mike Morgan told the Phoenix New Times that June. "For him to finally get up here at the age of 51 has got to be a
thrill. He's got to deal with all kinds of personalities, all kinds of
situations, and he's doing fine."

Kniffin stayed with
Arizona into 2004. By 2005, he was back in the minors. He served as
pitching coach at AAA Syracuse that year. He then moved to AAA Colorado
Springs. He stayed there for four seasons, his last in 2009, when he retired.